Process and apparatus for combusting hydrogen

Abstract

There is provided a system for producing heat energy comprising: an electrolyzer for effecting electrolysis of water to produce an electrolysis product material including gaseous molecular hydrogen, and a furnace, fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer for receiving the gaseous molecular hydrogen of at least the electrolysis product material, and configured for combusting the received gaseous molecular hydrogen.

1 . A system for producing heat energy comprising:
 a source of fuel-comprising gaseous material, wherein the fuel-comprising gaseous material includes gaseous molecular hydrogen;   an igniter for effecting ignition of reaction zone material within a reaction zone; and   an eductor fluidly coupled to the source of the fuel-comprising gaseous material;   wherein:
 the source of fuel-comprising gaseous material, the eductor, the igniter, and the reaction zone are co-operatively configured such that, while a motive fluid is being flowed through the eductor:
 flow of the fuel-comprising material is induced by the flow of motive fluid, in response to the venturi effect, with effect that the induced flow of the fuel-comprising material and the motive fluid are combined such that a combined fluid material is obtained; 
 a reaction zone supply is supplied to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material, within the reaction zone, is obtained, wherein the reaction zone supply includes at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the combined fluid material; 
 in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products; 
 the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen; and 
 the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 ;
 wherein:
 the supplying of the reaction zone supply, to the reaction zone, is effected by a nozzle; and 
 the nozzle includes a central axis that is aligned with the reaction zone. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 2 ;
 further comprising:
 a heat exchanger; 
   wherein the reaction zone and the heat exchanger are co-operatively configured such that, while the heated post-reactive process gaseous material is being produced, the heated post-reactive process gaseous material becomes disposed in heat transfer communication with the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 ;
 wherein the heat exchanger is defined by a furnace.   
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  4 ;
 wherein:
 the source of the fuel-comprising gaseous material includes an electrolyzer configured for effecting electrolysis of water with effect that gaseous molecular hydrogen is produced, such that the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the fuel-comprising gaseous material include the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen. 
 
 
     
     
         6 . The systems as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5 ;
 wherein:
 the motive fluid includes an oxidant; and 
 the reaction zone supply includes the oxidant of the motive fluid. 
 
 
     
     
         7 . A system for producing heat energy comprising:
 a source of gaseous molecular hydrogen;   a manifold fluidly coupled to the source;   a nozzle for discharging gaseous material feed which is received by the manifold;   wherein:
 the nozzle defines a maximum cross-sectional flow area of less than 3.14×10 −6  square inches; 
   and   an igniter for effecting ignition of reaction zone material within a reaction zone;   wherein:
 the source, the manifold, the nozzle, the igniter, and the reaction zone are co-operatively configured such that, while: (i) the gaseous material feed, including the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the source, is being received by the manifold and discharged via the nozzle to the reaction zone, and (ii) oxidant is also being supplied to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material, within the reaction zone, is obtained and includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen and the oxidant:
 in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products; 
 the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant; and 
 the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced. 
 
   
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 ;
 wherein:
 the source of the gaseous molecular hydrogen includes an electrolyzer configured for effecting electrolysis of water with effect that the gaseous molecular hydrogen is produced; 
 the gaseous molecular hydrogen, of the gaseous material feed, includes the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 7  or  8 ;
 further comprising:
 a heat exchanger; 
 
 wherein the reaction zone and the heat exchanger are co-operatively configured such that, while the heated post-reactive process gaseous material is being produced, the heated post-reactive process gaseous material becomes disposed in heat transfer communication with the heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 ;
 wherein the heat exchanger is defined by a furnace.   
     
     
         11 . A system for producing heat energy comprising:
 a source of gaseous molecular hydrogen;   a manifold fluidly coupled to the gaseous molecular hydrogen source for receiving the gaseous molecular hydrogen;   a nozzle for discharging the received gaseous molecular hydrogen;   an igniter for effecting ignition of reaction zone material within a reaction zone; and   a flame arrestor, disposed between the manifold and the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen, for mitigating flashback from the reaction zone;   wherein:
 the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen, the manifold, the nozzle, the igniter, and the reaction zone are co-operatively configured such that, while: (i) the gaseous molecular hydrogen is being received by the manifold and discharged via the nozzle to the reaction zone, and (ii) oxidant is also being supplied to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen and the oxidant:
 in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products; 
 the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant; and 
 the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 ;
 wherein:
 the flame arrestor includes a bubbler; and 
 the manifold is fluidly coupled to the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen via the bubbler. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 ;
 wherein:
 the manifold is fluidly coupled to the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen via a check valve; 
 the check valve includes a valve body configured for seating on a valve seat for effecting closure of flow communication between the manifold and the source of gaseous molecular hydrogen; 
 the valve body comprises flame retardant material; and 
 the flame arrestor is defined by the valve body. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in any one of  claims 11  to  13 ;
 further comprising:
 a heat exchanger; 
 
 wherein the reaction zone and the heat exchanger are co-operatively configured such that, while the heated post-reactive process gaseous material is being produced, the heated post-reactive process gaseous material becomes disposed in heat transfer communication with the heat exchanger. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 ;
 wherein the heat exchanger is defined by a furnace.   
     
     
         16 . A process for heating ambient air, comprising:
 electrolyzing water, with effect that gaseous molecular hydrogen is produced;   emplacing reaction zone material within a reaction zone, wherein the reaction zone material includes the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen and an oxidant;   igniting the reaction zone material combined fluid material, with effect that the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced;   wherein:
 the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant; 
 the reaction products include water vapour; 
 the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced for heating of ambient air; and 
 the heated post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products; 
   condensing the water vapour such that liquid water is obtained;   wherein the electrolyzing includes electrolyzing of the liquid water that is obtained from the condensing.   
     
     
         17 . The process as claimed in  claim 16 ;
 further comprising:
 emplacing the heated post-reactive process gaseous material in indirect heat transfer communication with ambient air, such that the ambient air is heated with heated post-reactive process gaseous material and the condensing of the water vapour is effected. 
   
     
     
         18 . The process as claimed in  claim 16  or  17 ;
 wherein:
 the electrolyzing of the water is with additional effect that oxygen is produced; and 
 the oxidant includes the produced oxygen. 
 
 
     
     
         19 . A process for heating ambient air, comprising:
 producing gaseous molecular hydrogen via electrolysis with water;   combining the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen with adscititious oxidant to produce a combined fluid material;   igniting the combined fluid material, with effect that the combined fluid material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced;   wherein:
 the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products; 
 the reactive process includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen effected by the oxidant of the motive fluid; and 
 the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced; 
   and   emplacing the heated post-reactive process gaseous material in indirect heat transfer communication with ambient air.   
     
     
         20 . The process as claimed in  claim 19 ;
 wherein:
 the combining of the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen with adscititious oxidant includes inducing flow of the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen with a motive fluid, in response to the venturi effect, with effect that the induced flow of the produced gaseous molecular hydrogen and the motive fluid are combined such that the combined fluid material is produced; and 
 the motive fluid includes the adscititious oxidant. 
   
     
     
         21 . A kit of components for retrofitting a furnace that includes a conventional burner assembly and a heat exchanger, comprising:
 an electrolyzer for effecting electrolysis of water to produce an electrolysis product material including gaseous molecular hydrogen;   a gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly, including a fluid conductor for receiving and conducting a reaction zone supply to a reaction zone such that a reaction zone material, within the reaction zone, is obtained, and an igniter for igniting the reaction zone material disposed within the reaction zone;   wherein:
 the electrolyzer, the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly, and the heat exchanger are co-operatively configured such that while: (i) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is replacing the conventional burner assembly, (ii) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is receiving a reaction zone supply; (iii) the electrolysis product material is being produced by the electrolyzer, and (iv) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer, such that the received reaction zone supply includes at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the electrolysis product;
 the received reaction zone supply is conducted to the reaction zone, such that the reaction zone material includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen; 
 in response to ignition of the reaction zone material within the reaction zone by the igniter, the reaction zone material is converted to reaction products via a reactive process that includes combustion of the gaseous molecular hydrogen, such that a post-reactive process gaseous material is produced, wherein the post-reactive process gaseous material includes the reaction products; 
 the reactive process produces heat energy which heats the post-reactive process gaseous material such that a heated post-reactive process gaseous material is produced; and 
 the heated post-reactive process gaseous material becomes disposed in heat transfer communication with the heat exchanger. 
 
   
     
     
         22 . The kit as claimed in  claim 21 ;
 wherein:
 the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly includes a nozzle for effecting the discharging of the received reaction zone supply to the reaction zone; and 
 the nozzle defines a maximum cross-sectional flow area of less than 3.14×10 −6  square inches. 
   
     
     
         23 . The kit as claimed in  claim 21  or  22 ;
 further comprising:
 an eductor; 
 
 wherein:
 the electrolyzer, the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly, and the eductor are co-operatively configured such that while: (i) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is replacing the conventional burner assembly; (ii) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is receiving a reaction zone supply; (iii) the electrolysis product material is being produced by the electrolyzer; (iv) the eductor is fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer for receiving at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the electrolysis product; (v) a motive fluid is being flowed through the eductor such that flow of at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen, of the electrolysis product, is induced by the flow of motive fluid, in response to the venturi effect, with effect that the motive fluid and the induced flow of at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen are combined such that a combined fluid material is obtained and includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the electrolysis product; and (vi) the gaseous hydrogen-compatible burner assembly is fluidly coupled to the eductor such that the received reaction zone supply includes at least the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the combined fluid material:
 the gaseous molecular hydrogen, of the electrolysis product of the received reaction zone supply, includes the gaseous molecular hydrogen of the combined fluid material. 
 
 
 
     
     
         24 . The kit as claimed in any one of  claims 21  to  23 ;
 further comprising:
 a heat sink; 
 
 wherein the electrolyzer is configured for emplacement in heat transfer communication with the heat sink, such that while electrolysis is being effected by the electrolyzer such that heat is being produced by the electrolysis, at least a portion of the generated heat is transferred to the heat sink. 
 
     
     
         25 . The kit as claimed in  claim 24 ;
 wherein the heat sink includes a chiller.   
     
     
         26 . A system for producing heat energy comprising:
 an electrolyzer for effecting electrolysis of water to produce an electrolysis product material including gaseous molecular hydrogen; and   a furnace, fluidly coupled to the electrolyzer for receiving the gaseous molecular hydrogen of at least the electrolysis product material, and configured for combusting the received gaseous molecular hydrogen.   
     
     
         27 . The system as claimed in  claim 26 ;
 further comprising:
 a heat sink; 
   wherein the electrolyzer is disposed in heat transfer communication with the heat sink, such that while electrolysis is being effected by the electrolyzer such that heat is being produced by the electrolysis, at least a portion of the generated heat is transferred to the heat sink.   
     
     
         28 . The system as claimed in  claim 27 ;
 wherein the heat sink includes a chiller.